Can you describe a situation where you had to apply your problem-solving skills on the job?

Construction Inspector Interview Questions

Sample answer to the question

Once at a construction site, I noticed that a certain part of the structure was not aligned properly. This wasn't a glaring mistake, but as someone that pays attention to detail, it caught my eye. I went back to the construction plan to see if there was a discrepancy between the plan and what I was seeing, and there was! So I brought it up with the site supervisor and we managed to rectify the issue just in time.

A more solid answer

About six months ago, I was assigned to inspect a building that was under construction. While I was checking the progress, my attention was drawn to the alignment of a section of the structure, which didn't match the construction drawings. I returned to my office, opened the project in our inspection reporting tool, and cross-referenced the problematic section with the construction specifications. There was definitely a discrepancy. I marked this on the digital plan and communicated my findings to the site supervisor through the software. We sat down and re-examined the blueprints and agreed there was a misalignment. We then communicated with the contracting team to rectify the problem. This prevented possible project delays and additional costs.

Why this is a more solid answer:

The solid answer provides specifics on the problem-solving process, like how the candidate used their observational skills to identify the problem, their attention to detail to compare the actual construction to the plans, and their technical knowledge in utilizing inspection reporting tools. It also shows understanding of the job’s responsibilities as it mentions troubleshooting an issue, interpreting construction plans, and communicating with other stakeholders.

An exceptional answer

Around last year, I was inspecting a job site where an apartment complex was being constructed. During the inspection, an irregularity in the alignment of one of the buildings caught my attention. To confirm my suspicion, I referred back to the original construction drawings using the software tool we use for inspections, which allows us to superimpose digital blueprints over real-time project images for immediate analysis. Sure enough, I found a misalignment in the positioning of a supporting column. I marked the discrepancy within the digital plan, appended comments highlighting the possible implications, and shared this within the software with the site supervisor and our company's structural engineer. We conducted a conference call using the same platform, allowing us to discuss our concerns over the live 3D model. This collaboration led to immediate rectification, saving us from imminent delays and cost overruns. After the resolution, I documented the details of this occurrence in our system, including the measures taken to rectify it and the lessons learned from the incident. This implementation became a part of our team's best practices and it helped minimize such occurrences in future projects.

Why this is an exceptional answer:

The exceptional answer demonstrates not only the candidate’s problem-solving skill but also their ability to use relevant technology tools, their capacity to collaborate with team members efficiently, and their initiative to prevent such situations in the future. They provided a step-by-step breakdown of the entire process, their own role, and the software they used. This showcases understanding of their job role and fundamental skills needed in construction analysis and reporting.

How to prepare for this question

Think about situations where you've had to use specific software tools to address issues on the job site as this showcases your ability to use technology in problem-solving.
Consider discussing instances where you've had to communicate effectively with various team members to resolve a complex issue, emphasizing the importance of clear communication.
Focus on instances where your proactive approach has led to preventative measures for future projects.
Highlight how your observational skills and attention to details has led to trouble-shooting complex problems at work.

What interviewers are evaluating

Analytical skills
Attention to detail
Interpretation of construction drawings
Communication